Dell launches Venue 8 Pro 3000 and Pro 5000 Windows tablets

Dell has introduced two new Venue 8 tablets, the Pro 3000 and Pro 5000. Both the Venue 8 Pro 3000 and Venue 8 Pro 5000 are Windows tablets geared towards both personal and professional use. The Pro 3000 comes with 32GB of storage, while the Pro 5000 comes in both 32GB and 64GB configurations.

In terms of specs, the tablets are pretty similar. They both have 8-inch, 1280x800 displays, and run on quad-core Intel Atom processors. They both also have 5MP rear cameras and 1.2MP front-facing sensors. The biggest difference is in the RAM, with the Pro 3000 containing 1GB of memory, and the Pro 5000 containing 2GB. Both tablets are available in a variety of colors.

The Venue 8 Pro 3000 Series starts at $199.99 for 32GB, with options available for different cases and accessories. The Venue 8 Pro 5000 is available for $249.99 for the 32GB configuration, and $279.99 for the 64GB. Both are available on Dell's website.

So the main difference between the Venue 8 3000 n 5000 model is the 1 or 2GB memory? I am thinking I want the 32GB to keep the cost down. Is the 1GB memory enough for the basics surf, some pics etc (not gaming) or am I better off paying a bit more for the 5K with 2GB??? hummm for another $30 I can get the 64GB... just don't know what to do... I could afford the $280, but I started looking at the Venue 8 3000 at $200, or supposidly $150 presale Dell...

Hi everybody Windows 10 will be the game changer all Hybrid Tablets/Laptops will automatically switch from Tablet start screen tiles screen to the good old desktop screen when you put the tablet on it's keyboard dock. mouse and keyboard Desktops will get a super "New" start button. all this and other improvements will make these new Dell tablets better when they get the update to windows 10. Hopefully Microsoft will make the upgrade to Windows 10 free to those who have windows 8 or 8.1. MS put the Upgrade to windows 8.1 in the Microsoft store App maybe they will do the same for Windows 10 "I HOPE SO"

I love the Dell Venue 8 pro. Got one for my daughter. Dell is pretty much the only brand I buy besides this Surface 2. I like the quality and support. I love the grooves on the back too because it gives piece of mind that it's not going to slip. Also because no other tablet has it. When I got the black one I wished they had a red one (same for surface) and now they have one. Getting a red for my son soon, and maybe my other daughter too because her Acer tablet sucks. The 3000 and 5000 don't have enough new features to warrant spending the extra dough though.

This appears to be more of a .1 refresh rather than a whole new model. Probably updated to slightly newer components as the older ones are running out. If you've already for a Venue 8 Pro, it would probably be best to wait til the new year and we'll likely see a real upgrade. Dell does this all the time with their business range - e.g. same basic chassis for Latitude XX00, XX10, XX20, but slightly newer components, then a big change every 1.5-2yrs.

I love my dell venue pro 8. Even with all its faults i've bought 3 of them. But i dont see this as being a resonable enough upgrade. Does this at least allow for charging AND usage of the usb at the same time?

They came out with new PC's and monitors. I don't think they are diving in too deep on tablets. What they have right now works. I don't see the need for a new one every year. If they wanted to make a real change they could add sim card support so I can use it on tmobile. I've got a free data sim I can't use because they don't have a lumia, Dell, or Surface tablet.

No LTE and too big. Android devices have had 1080p screens at that size for years now. Why is it taking Windows so long? (Though to be honest, my specific specs don't exist anywhere in any ecosystem at any price.)

Finally got a tip posted! These new configurations look great. However, I just picked up a Winbook 801 at Micro Center and its tough to beat $139.00 with roughly the same specs, mini hdmi and a full USB 3 port.

Yeah, you're right. I wrote the samething below. People suggest using miracast if you want to use another screen but that doesnt really work unless you're just mirroring your screen. If you try to dual screen, its impossible to use without a (virtual) keyboard/mouse. And that doesn't change the fact that you can't charge and use an flashdrive/harddrive or anything at the same time.

Yeah, but the Surface RT and Nokia 2520 are better overall devices. They just aren't as capable, software wise. Honestly, you can't go wrong either way. You can get a sweet RT device or a decent full on Win 8.1 device for CHEAP these days. As much as a I wanted an 8 inch with full Windows, I'm loving my $99 Nokia 2520.

I like my Dell Venue 8 Pro. I bought it for using the stylus with an 8-inch device, but the stylus tech on it is horrible. The writing is jagged, and the palm-rejection is horrible. But otherwise a great tablet.

I actually saw these two yesterday when talking to a Dell rep at their booth at a mobile conference yesterday. From the few minutes I played with them, they were solidly built and felt no lag. Pretty nice actually.

Besides the Lenovo Miix 2 8 and these, what would folks here currently recommend as a 8 in tablet? The upcoming Stream 8 Table HP one seems to be significantly cheaper, but I gather they must have skimped on some of the specs.

Indeed. I picked up the TP8 because I wanted the higher resolution display. That's what I use for my e-book reading and other things where a smaller tablet works best. I still have my Venue Pro 8 but I only use it for testing Windows 10 right now. My Venue Pro 11, however, has become my daily-driver PC.

True, but not many tablets have active digitzer support. Has Windows Central every done a round up, or "face-off" of ONLY the tablets that have some sort of active digitizer support? Either from Wacom or some others? Lack of active digitizer support is a deal breaker for me for any sort of tablet I consider purchasing. Even the guy In the promo video is using a capacitive stylus. So far, I'm holding on to my Galaxy Note 8 because it has the active digitizer but would love to jump ship to a Windows tablet.

Nice! If I'm in the market for an 8 inch tablet this is probably what I'm going to get and a big reason is because its a DELL... I'm really happy with the way all my Dell products work... But as of today my 10" netbook seems too small a screen for me to work on and I'd prefer a 13" or higher device. Got my eyes set on those 3 in 1 from Dell Inspiron 11, 3000, Inspiron 13, 7000 and the very pricy but worthy Microsoft Surface Pro 3

NO SALE. I have bought my last Dell. My Dell Venue 8 Pro, is back on it's way to Texas for it's second Motherboard in less than 1 year. Dell wouldn't even consider just a refurbished replacement or extending the warranty on a clear lemon device.

As others here note, the spec's are underwhelming at this point. Dell has a top of the line android tablet, with amazing spec's but sadly, they have no interest in a consumer device worth a darn.

I'll check out the Lenovo, but I am kind of over 8 inch devices, and 16:9 aspect ratios.

It has to have a digitizer or it would be a downgrade. Frankly, because of my DV8P with digitizer+pen my laptopbag has become light again. No need for paper notepads and other 'piles of paper'.....just a DV8P+OneNote (+ HP Elitebook). My back is thanking me everyday.

Windows RT? No...just no!
(I say this whilst listening to Spotify, browsing with Google Chrome, & IP switching using CyberGhost....all on an Asus T100 tablet).
The one good thing about RT - it'll be merged with Windows Phone, which means we should finally get USB OTG and Bluetooth HID

Let me guess.....you use Internet Explorer?!!
I don't like Google - but Chrome just works. & I get all the useful browser plugins too. Internet Explorer on the other hand is just so dated, glitchy and unintuitive.
When Microsoft bring IE to feature and usability parity with Chrome, then I'll gladly switch back.

It does not work as well as Chrome. There is no inline auto-translation (which I find v.v.useful!). The chrome app store makes it easy to add such things as CamalCamelCamel Amazon price tracker, Adblock Plus, QMee etc etc. Those same apps aren't available in IE.
Most usefully though, I can convert such things as outlook.com into a web app - which I can then pin to my taskbar (it even comes up with the correct Outlook logo).
Password and autofill functions work far more reliably in Chrome. Oh, and when I right click on a web page, I'm not greeted with a menu that harks back to Windows 98!!
Also, why is it so difficult to find such things as Internet History on IE, and how do I open previously closed tabs?!
Microsoft need to improve the UI of IE....because it is just horrible at the mo. I do recognise that it is the better browser underneath the crap UI (videos work better for instance). But for me, Chrome just does it better

Firstly have are you using IE 11 cause that's where its at. Apart from in-line auto translation and the chrome app store, IE 11 can do everything else you've mentioned. I prefer it mainly cause it's faster. i've used chrome, firefox and IE 11 and IE 11 loads web pages faster than all 3. And seriously, you can't find history and previously closed tabs?? You must be a very novice user if you can't click a couple buttons till you find them but to give you a hint, history is part of the Star menu on the top right and you can open previoulsly closed tabs by opening a new tab (though that depends if new tab opens the new tab page, not a specific page). I also think UI on IE is much nicer than any of the other browsers so that's all a matter of opinion. Have you ever had 10 tabs opened and say wanted to close the last 5. start closing them in IE and Chrome and you will see with IE you don't need to move your mouse cause of the way the tab header expands. small feature but I find it very useful.

I used to have a Miix 2 8 but didn't like the performance for desktop apps. I basically ended up using my Surface 2 more becasue of that and just sold my Miix 2 8. Atom CPU's aren't quite there yet for me.

Except, they managed to screw up even that "bump": depending on the... color (black/red) you may still get the older Z3740D (it's on their site). Taking into account that you can buy a Z3740D with 2GB RAM at Amazon for $200 right now, there is just absolutely no reason to buy these "new" 3000 or 5000 series...

Do either of them have HDMI? That's the big drawback with the current Venue 8 Pro
(I say this whilst website building on a dual screen setup with my small and mighty Asus T100! HDMI is such a key thing for me)

No need for HDMI, use a mircast device. I have the DVP8 and I use a netgear widi/mircast device and watch movies and view pictures with no problem on my TV. We even used it on a recent cruise to Alaska on the TV in the cabin.

Sorry, but "buy a $50+ dongle" is not a great solution. Especially when the host device itself is only $200-$250 dollars and it's raison d'etre is portability. Dell could have easily included a micro-HDMI port.

Amen! HDMI is a much better solution for me. It means I only need to take a cable with me to get connectivity everywhere. Dell didn't need to compromise...and they shouldn't have done given the business user demographic that they are trying to appeal to.
I'll stick with my superb Asus T100 :)

There is a reason for it though. Miracast doesn't do as well for video playback (but newer drivers make it better). You still have issues with the device when it comes to using both bluetooth and the Wifi on the device simultaneously due to the interference with the chipset. (I used to own it and that was always my problem with the device -- well, that and the fact that you can't charge and plug in usb devices into the micro USB port. simultaneously.

I've found that I prefer it this way since I never use the physical Windows button. I always swipe in from the right to bring up the Charms Bar and tap the Windows button that appears there. Even when I use tablets that HAVE a capacitive Windows button on the bezel, I never use it... I still swipe from the side since that means it's the same regardless of what orientation I'm holding the tablet.

I agree completely, i hate the capacative button on my SP3. To those above Miracast works great for media streaming, or viewing photos, but as a secondary monitor to do actual work, its laggy and slow. Think slow Remote desktop connection with cursor lag, and such. If there were a micro hdmi port, i could plug into my tv, and use a wireless keyboard / mouse.